are the big tools really necessary?

[Muddler Mike]

As some of you know, I'm new here and now that I bought a house, am just starting to aquire the tools needed to set up my shop. I only have a 6x9 section of my garage that I can work with for storing my tools, so I'm working on a plan to layer various wheeled cabinets and tables that will allow me to tinker in the small space ad lib as well as pull the cars out and set up a number of stations for a full blown workshop with bigger projects. I doubt that I will ever have the capacity to keep raw lumber, so much of my projects (I aspire to things ranging from bird houses to grandfather clocks) will be started with milled stock. My question is, Should I be concerned with buying and finding a space for floor mounted tools like a jointer, planer, band saw, and a drill press or could I get away with bench top versions of those particular models? I could probably work in a 14" band saw, but doubt I could fit a floor mounted jointer and such. Just curious as to all of your experiences on this matter...

Muddler

[thestinker]

Well, I'm kinda new to woodowrking, by comparison to some of the other guys here at any rate, but I think you could pass on the joiner and planer for the most part, especialy if you are working with pre milled lumber. The band saw is pretty useful, and the drill press comes in handy also. I would go for the band saw and a table top drill press and skip out on the other tools until I needed them to mill stock. Then I would try to get full size versions, because I think they would work better than bench top versions...but having not used them in person... all I can offer is what I have read.


Riley

[Knottscott]

Sounds like you might be a candidate for a used ShopSmith.

[dlminehart]

Muddler, you could probably get away with benchtop versions of most things, some of them on flip-top cabinets to double your storage per sq ft of floor space. Most folks have benchtop planers, a lot have benchtop drill presses (I have the floor model, but wish I'd gotten the bench). Jointers and table saws take up more space, but I can't imagine doing much serious work wtihout a saw at least as big as the BT3100. The jointer and planer are more optional, as you can often pay a local lumberyard to do this finishing for you at a reasonable cost. I bought them because the price was really outstanding . . . and now struggle to find room for them.

[Muddler Mike]

I have a BT3100 and plan to make an extended cabinet with a router table (typical setup around here!) that would slide under a workbench. I was considering an additional cabinet about 2.5x5.5ft to mount a DP, BS, planer, sander, and bench top jointer. I came up with a configuration that should allow adequate work space around each machine, and still have storage underneith for a shop vac, the chop saw (which I would keep a folding rack for it put away on a wall) as well as other machines like a scroll saw and grinder. my concern is that I've read so much about "milled" stock not being square and that the only way to assure good joints is to join them on your own jointer. Also, I don't really know if I'll need to resaw anything bigger than 6". I was just wondering how many of you all find the need for the larger equipment in all of those cases. I don't plan on doing any "production" work at this time - except maybe some smaller crafts - but would like to do quality work on such things as desks, entertainment centers, and grandfather clocks for my family. i just don't want to buy a scaled down machine now only to find I boxed my self in within the first couple of years.

[lcm1947]

It sounds like you'll be doing more or less the type and size of projects that I do so I think bench top tools would be fine as far as the BS and a drill press which is what I have and am very pleased with them for what I do. I do however have the 3100 and DeWalt chop saw which I couldn't live without but actually I could I'd just do a lot more belt sanding to square things up. I probably use my belt sander as much as any of my tools and couldn't do without it especially if I didn't have the TS and DeWalt. As far as planer or jointer I'll never have either due to space and no need as I'm happy using store bought wood and sheet goods. Actually I'm surprised at how little wood I work compared to sheet goods, like 1% to 99%. I really would like a 14" BS and may get one someday but I'll keep my 9" BS with a 1/8'blade for small projects if I do. That little sucker cuts like a dream and is so handy I'd miss it. Heck you could get by with hand tools if you had to but that's not much fun if you get my meaning. I guess to sum up I'd suggest you get the larger tools only if you have space. It'll get pretty old having to move everything around all the time every time. To me that could turn your fun hobby into a pain in the behind. I hate having to be the one to point this out but I just have to. One of the first things you should really think about buying is a DC. In that small space dust could and really will be a problem health reason wise with power tools that you use indoors. If you don't know about the health issues of saw dust please read up on it. Anyway, my 2 cents. Main thing is - enjoy building your shop. Later.

[Sawatzky]

My dad has been building custom furniture for years, and has never owned a planer. I can't see the need for it myself, and don't think you would either. As far as a jointer goes, the BT is pretty capable of producing joint ready cuts. I just joined some wood cut on the BT with some dowels and it came out perfect. Of course if you have the money and the space, any power tool is great. If you are on a budget and have very limited space, like I do, then go for what you absolutaly need.

[cwsmith]

I'm just now setting up my very first "shop". Over the years, I've built bookcases, refinished furniture, done quite a lot of remodel work and built a pretty large deck; all with basic hand tools and hand power tools. The only big tool I've used in the past 30 years is my radial arm saw.

So, now I want to build cabinetry, toys, woodcraft type stuff. So, with some experience I've purchased the following tools to do the things I envision: Ryobi's bench-top belt/disk sander, BS902 band saw, BT3100 table saw, and Ridgid 1550 floor drill-press. These tools will allow me to cut sheet goods and trim. I also have a couple of routers, a router table, orbital and detail sanders, drill/drivers, and a compressor with finish spray guns. With the exception of the routers (which are necessary cutting/fine woodworking tools) these are pretty much the assembly and finishing tools for me and the type and style of work that I can do.

The point is, the "tool" is a requirement of what it is that you will build and the style and quality of what you will do. Beyond that, I'd look at function and buy it as you need it.

CWS

[Napoleon]

Very good question! You can get all ranges of answers, since Roy Underhill (The Woodwrights Shop)doesn't have any "big" power tools, and yet that era turned out some very good looking projects! Norm Abraham (New Yankee Workshop) and David J (Wood Works) have a great number of large power tools, but the last Wood Works I watched David J made a great looking piece of funiture using a jig saw, router and table saw... I think the last couple of issues of Wood Mag had mobile storage projects. One project was a storage cabinet for a shop remodel. I plan on making that cabinet and putting my bench top planer, jointer and grinder in side, and bring them out and set them up on the top of the cabinet for use. In this month's they have a rather large rolling storage rack that uses storage tubs instead of drawers. Nice place to store other tools, and materials. If you can, look at some of the mags and they will give you all kinds of ideas about what you can do with a small shop.
Lots of luck, and keep us posted!
Mark

[dkhoward]

Just remember, . . . Noah built the ark with handtools . . . . the builder of the Titanic had the most sophisticated power tools available at the time . . . .

[JR]

quote:Originally posted by dkhoward

Just remember, . . . Noah built the ark with handtools . . . . the builder of the Titanic had the most sophisticated power tools available at the time . . . .

Sorry, Dennis, but I beg to disagree with your inference. It is the God-given right, no, it is a duty, of every red-blooded American to acquire as many power tools as possible, each of them with the maximum power and features as can be reasonably expected to provide benefit to the woodworker.

Any of you communists who disagree with me should know that I respect your right to have wrong opinions and to express them here, but posting them does change their wrong-ness.

JR

[Hoover]

quote:Originally posted by JR

quote:Originally posted by dkhoward

Just remember, . . . Noah built the ark with handtools . . . . the builder of the Titanic had the most sophisticated power tools available at the time . . . .

Sorry, Dennis, but I beg to disagree with your inference. It is the God-given right, no, it is a duty, of every red-blooded American to acquire as many power tools as possible, each of them with the maximum power and features as can be reasonably expected to provide benefit to the woodworker.

Any of you communists who disagree with me should know that I respect your right to have wrong opinions and to express them here, but posting them does change their wrong-ness.

JR

Come on now, don't hold back, tell us what's on your mind!!![:0][:0][:0]

[Muddler Mike]

phewww....thanks JR. Finally - someone with the appropriate priorities for a power tool BB!!

Thanks for the replies, guys. I guess I was thinking I might be handicapped with smaller bench tools. My biggest questions were with the band saw and the jointer. I've heard that the bench top jointers are somewhat inadequate. Also, will I ever need to resaw anything bigger than 6 inches, blah, blah, blah. Just a little pre-purchase panics, I guess!!

[dkhoward]

Ah yes . . . . unabashed aquisition of material wealth . . .

I Love America!

[JR]

quote:Originally posted by JR

quote:Originally posted by dkhoward

Just remember, . . . Noah built the ark with handtools . . . . the builder of the Titanic had the most sophisticated power tools available at the time . . . .

Sorry, Dennis, but I beg to disagree with your inference. It is the God-given right, no, it is a duty, of every red-blooded American to acquire as many power tools as possible, each of them with the maximum power and features as can be reasonably expected to provide benefit to the woodworker.

Any of you communists who disagree with me should know that I respect your right to have wrong opinions and to express them here, but posting them does not change their wrong-ness.

JR